Oxfam GB Trainee

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

Do you have passion and an enthusiasm for fighting inequality?

Are you keen to contribute to Oxfam’s efforts to become safe, feminist and anti-racist?

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to start a career in the charity sector?

If so, we would like to hear from you. You don’t need to already know how charities work or to have any formal qualifications or work experience. The Oxfam Trainee Scheme is not a graduate scheme, but an entry-level programme, which is unique in what we offer and what we’re looking for from applicants.

The role:

Oxfam GB has a great opportunity for enthusiastic and proactive individuals to complete a 15-month traineeship within our Engagement, Equalities, Finance or Impact team. You will carry out a range of activities that contribute to a variety of Oxfam projects, drawing on your diverse perspectives, insights and ideas.

Our offer:

Through completing a traineeship at Oxfam, you will get a good understanding of how a large aid and development organisation works. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge and we will work with you to achieve your learning goals and help you discover your interests and career aspirations. In return, trainees are encouraged to challenge us and share their ideas, insight and skills with our teams.

Oxfam GB is a Disability Confident Employer. We want everyone to have equal chance at being considered for this scheme. Should you be unable to submit an application online and would prefer an alternative method, or you experience another barrier to completing your application, please contact our recruitment team ([email protected]).

What we are looking for:

We’re looking for people who care about Oxfam’s mission to end poverty and who are personally aligned to our feminist principles and our values of equality, empowerment, solidarity, inclusiveness, accountability and courage.

We want people who…

…can challenge how we and others do things and why

…can bring fresh ideas, approaches and ways of thinking

…want to learn, and want to help us to learn how to be better and different

…may have lived experience on some of the things we talk about

…can understand the experiences and concerns of communities in the UK and beyond

Candidates will need to be able to demonstrate their:

• Solidarity with people experiencing inequality, an awareness of how poverty disproportionately affects different groups, and the drive and passion to do something about it
• Ambition and enthusiasm to get involved with and bring new ideas & challenges to Oxfam’s work
• Flexibility, proactive approach and ability to overcome barriers
• Appreciation of the value of diversity and inclusion, and ability to work well with others
• Good communication, IT/computer and numeracy skills

We are looking for fresh ideas, approaches and ways of thinking from a variety of people, from a wide range of backgrounds, but particularly those from under-represented or disadvantaged groups, so lived experience with intersecting identities would be valued.

This scheme is open to everybody – people of all genders and sexualities, people of colour, people with disabilities, neurodiverse people, those from working class backgrounds, parents & carers, those who haven’t done a degree, those who haven’t worked for a charity before… and everyone else! Although, if you’ve recently completed an internship or are already working for a charity, consider whether this entry-level scheme is right for you, and please note you need to already have the right and proof of your right to work in the UK (and your right to work must cover the duration of this role, i.e. not expire before April 2024) in order to be considered for this role. Like all organisations in the UK, Oxfam must adhere to the UK’s immigration rules and points-based sponsorship process, which does not permit Oxfam to sponsor for this particular recruitment. Please only submit an application if you have the right to work in the UK. Proof of right to work will be required during the assessment process.

How to apply:

To apply for this role, please download and complete the Skills & Experience form – your application will be assessed based on your responses to these questions. (NB: we do not accept CVs or cover letters for this recruitment, so please do not submit additional documents as they will not be read!). There are two versions of the Skills & Experience form –a standard version and a Dyslexia-friendly version– you only need to complete one (please choose the version that works best for you; the questions are the same). The closing date for applications is Weds 09 Nov 2022 (at midnight at the end of the day).

As part of your application you will be asked to select your preferred location (Oxford, London, Manchester or Newcastle) and your preferred department (Engagement, Equalities, Finance or Impact). We have put together short promotional videos on each department to help you decide your preference – click on the links below to view the videos:

Finance:

Impact:

Engagement:

Equalities:

You should hear the outcome of your application by 23 Nov 2022 (via email, so please check your junk mail folder if you’ve not heard!). Short-listed candidates will be invited to join an assessment consisting of group and individual exercises – this is likely to take place on Weds 30 Nov (in person in Oxford), plus a short online session on Thurs 01 Dec. It is designed to be a relaxed and enjoyable opportunity for us to meet and get to know candidates, as well as provide an opportunity for these applicants to find out more about the job and whether they would enjoy working for Oxfam. Ideally all shortlisted candidates will attend the assessment in Oxford in person, and we’ll pay reasonable travel costs (& accommodation where required) to enable this.

We’re aiming for the new trainees to start in early January 2023 (exact date to be confirmed).

Flexfam:

Flexible working is key to building the Oxfam of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you. Our trainee roles are usually full-time, but they are also suited to part-time and other flexible working arrangements (including term-time only).

Our values and commitment to safeguarding:

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work includingsexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority onensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

About Us:

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of an international confederation of 21 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.

A thriving diverse Oxfam:

It’s people power that brings about change. To play our part as a global organisation working to overcome poverty and inequality, we need equality, diversity and inclusion across our community of staff, partners and volunteers. Together, we’re committed to becoming a more diverse workforce, better able to tackle the global challenges that face our world today.

To do that:

• We need to dismantle the unequal power structures that exist everywhere, this includes within Oxfam and the wider development and charity sectors.
• We need an inclusive Oxfam where everyone can bring who they are to our work and feels celebrated for the differences they bring.
• We want and need everyone, and that means we need you – Good luck!